Apparatus for preventing reverse flow in drainage

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for preventing reverse flows in a drainage is disclosed. In this apparatus, a floating device ( 41 ) and a reverse flow preventing device ( 54 ) act mutually in opposite directions owing to the floating force and the water pressure, and thus the bottom of the round body ( 20 ) of the apparatus is automatically opened and closed, so that the drainage can efficiently work, and the waste water and the draining water with foul odors can be prevented from flowing reversely. The apparatus for preventing reverse flows of waste water according to the present invention includes a round body ( 20 ) to be installed in a drain hole ( 60 ). A guide member ( 30 ) is installed on a second filtering net ( 25 ) of the top of the round body ( 20 ), and has a guide ( 31 ) at the center of it. An openable/closable device actuating member ( 40 ) is insertingly installed on the guide member ( 30 ), for moving up and down along the guide ( 31 ) owing to the floating force and the self-gravity. An openable/closable member ( 50 ) is installed on the guide member ( 30 ), for causing an air-tight sealing part to be opened and closed by being oppositely interlocked to the openable/closable device actuating member ( 40 ).

FIELD OF TEE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for preventing reverseflows in a drainage. More specifically, the present invention relates toan apparatus for preventing reverse flows in a drainage, in which afloating device and a reverse flow preventing device act mutually inopposite directions owing to the floating force and the water pressure,and thus the bottom of the body of the apparatus is automatically openedand closed, so that the drainage can efficiently work, and the wastewater with foul odors can be prevented from flowing out reversely.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a conventional drainage reverse flow preventingapparatus 10. In this apparatus 10, a filtering device 12 is fixed onthe top of a cylindrical tube 11, and an annular engaging step 13projects from the lower inner circumference of the cylindrical tube 11.A protuberance 14 is formed under the annular step 13.

A shaft 15 pass through the protuberance 14, and a damper 16 is movablysecured to the shaft 15. Further, there is installed a torsion spring 17between the inner wall of the cylindrical tube 11 and the bottom of thedamper 16.

In the conventional drainage reverse flow preventing apparatus 10constituted as above, when waste water or drainage water does not flowwithin the cylindrical tube 11, the damper 16 keeps contacting to theannular step 13. That is, the damper 16 is kept closed. On the otherhand, when waste water or drainage water flows through the cylindricaltube 11, the damper 16 departs from the annular step 13 so as for thedamper 16 to be opened.

In this conventional apparatus 10, however,if the torsion spring 17loses its elasticity after a long use or due to corrosion, then reverseflows cannot be prevented. Moreover, in this conventional apparatus, theclosing of the damper 16 depends only on the force of the torsion spring17, and therefore, the sealing between the damper 16 and the annularstep 13 is mostly insufficient, with the result that the reverse flow offoul odors cannot be prevented.

Besides the above described conventional apparatus, there are variousother apparatuses for preventing reverse flows of foul odors and wastewater. However, they are not capable of serving as the apparatus forpreventing foul odors and waste water simultaneously, but serves only asingle function. Further, even this single function cannot be performedperfectly, thereby failing the originally intended purpose.

The flow directions of the waste water and the reversely flowing waterand foul odors are directly opposite, and therefore, a strongreliability has to be ensured. Such a reliability can be providedthrough a complicated structure, however, a high cost should beaccompanied. Further, such a complicated structure is subjected to aclogging by food stuffs and other foreign materials, with the resultthat the apparatus loses the intended functions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is intended to overcome the above describeddisadvantages of the conventional techniques.

Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide anapparatus for preventing reverse flows in a drainage, in which whendraining waste water, a openable/closable plate descends owing to therise of a floating device by the incoming waste water to open anair-tight sealing part so as to drain waste water efficiently, and whenwaste water does not flow, the floating device descends owing to theself-gravity, and the openable/closable plate ascends to close theair-tight sealing part so as to prevent the reverse flow of various foulodors. Particularly, in the raining seasons, the reverse flow of thedraining water can be prevented, thereby avoiding flooding.

In achieving the above object, the apparatus for preventing reverseflows of waste water according to the present invention includes: around body to be installed in a drain hole; a guide member installed ona second filtering net of the top of the round body, and having a guideat the center of it; an openable/closable device actuating memberinsertingly installed on the guide member, for moving up and down alongthe guide owing to a floating force and a self-gravity; and anopenable/closable member installed on the guide member, for causing anair-tight sealing part to be opened and closed by being oppositelyinterlocked to the openable/closable device actuating member.

The round body includes: an inner body having the air-tight sealing partat a lower portion thereof; and an outer body having a flange at a lowerportion thereof, the inner and outer bodies being detachably coupledtogether.

The guide member includes: a guide having a pair of pinions in theinterior thereof, and installed at the center of the second filteringnet; and a pair of guide grooves formed in both sides of the guide.

The openable/closable device actuating member includes: a floatingdevice having a through-hole at the center of it so as for the floatingdevice to move up and down along the guide; a weight provided in theinterior of the floating device; and racks formed on the lower portionof the through hole.

The openable/closable member includes: a movable bar having racks at itsupper portion, and having a securing part at a lower portion of it; anda reverse flow preventing device having an openable/closable plate andhaving an elastic member installed thereon, the openable/closable plateand the reverse flow preventing device being detachably coupledtogether.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus forpreventing reverse flows in a drainage according to the presentinvention includes: a round body to be installed in a drain hole; aguide member installed within the round body, and having a guide at thecenter of it; an openable/closable device actuating member installed onthe top of the guide member, for moving up and down along the guideowing to the floating force and the self-gravity; and anopenable/closable member installed under the guide member, for causing alower portion of the round body to be opened and closed by beingoppositely interlocked to the openable/closable device actuating member.

The guide member includes: a guide formed at the center of it withpinions installed in the interior of the guide; a securing part havingat its bottom a supporting device for supporting the guide; and a waterdraining part formed within the securing part.

The openable/closable device actuating member includes: a floatingdevice having a weight provided in the interior of it, and having aguide accommodating part at the center of the inside of it; and amovable bar having racks formed on the lower portion of it, and having asecuring part on the upper portion of it.

The openable/closable member includes: a passive body having racks onthe inside of it, and having guide grooves on the front and rear facesof it; and a reverse flow preventing device having an openable/closableplate formed at the bottom of it and having a hooking device formed onthe upper portion of it, the openable/closable plate and the reverseflow preventing device being detachably coupled together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above object and other advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent by describing in detail the preferred embodiment ofthe present invention with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the conventional drainage reverse flowpreventing apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the conventional apparatus installedin a draining hole;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drainage reverse flow preventingapparatus according to the present invention, showing the state of anormal draining;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the drainage reverse flow preventingapparatus according to the present invention, showing the state of areverse flow prevention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the drainage reverse flowpreventing apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7a to 7 b are sectional views showing the reverse flow preventingaction in the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of thedrainage reverse flow preventing apparatus according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the assembled state of the drainagereverse flow preventing apparatus of FIG. 8; and

FIGS. 10a and 10 b are sectional views showing the reverse flowpreventing action in the apparatus according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing the drainage reverse flowpreventing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is asectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 5. FIGS. 7a to 7 b are sectionalviews showing the reverse flow preventing action in the apparatus of thepresent invention.

A barrel shaped round body 20 which is to be installed in a drainingbole 60 includes an inner body 26. The inner body 26 includes: anair-tight sealing part 27 projecting inward from the lower portion of itand a threaded part formed on the upper portion of it. An elastic member28 is installed under the air-tight sealing part 27.

The inner body 26 is coupled with an outer body 21. The outer body 21includes: a flange 22 extending outward; a threaded part formed on theinside thereof; and steps 23 for accommodating first and secondfiltering nets 24 and 25.

The inner and outer bodies 26 and 21 are threadably coupled together,and therefore, they are detachable from each other.

A guide member 30 is installed on the second filtering net 25, and themember 30 includes: a guide 31 having a cylindrical shape to guidegrooves 32 formed on the cylindrical wall of the guide 31; and a pair ofpinions 33 installed within the guide 31.

An openable/closable device actuating member 40, which is inserted intothe guide 31 to move up and down, includes a floating device 41 toascend owing to the floating force or to descend owing to theself-gravity. The floating device 41 has a through-hole 43 foraccommodating the guide 31, and racks 44 are formed on the lower portionof the through hole 43, for being coupled with the pinions 33. Further,a weight 42 is formed within the floating device 41.

An openable/closable member 50 is partly inserted into the guide 31. Inthe member 50, racks 52 are formed to be coupled with the pinions 33,and a movable bar 51 is formed under the racks. 52, while a securingpart 53 is formed under the movable bar 51. A openable/closable plate 55is attached to the bottom of the securing part 53, and the plate 55 is amember of a reverse flow preventing device 54.

Thus in the openable/closable member 50, the securing part 53 and thereverse flow preventing device 54 are detachably coupled by means ofbolts and the like.

Now another embodiment of the drainage reverse flow preventing apparatusaccording to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing another embodiment of thedrainage reverse flow preventing apparatus according to the presentinvention. FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the assembled state of thedrainage reverse flow preventing apparatus of FIG. 8. FIGS. 10a and 10 bare sectional views showing the reverse flow preventing action in theapparatus according to the present invention.

The round body 20 includes an outer body 21 and an inner body 26. Theouter body 21 has a flange 22 on the bottom of it, while the inner body26 includes a threaded part. The outer and inner bodies 21 and 26 arethreadably coupled together. The outer body 21 has steps 23 toaccommodate first and second filtering nets 24 and 25. Thus thefiltering is carried out twice, and the outer and inner bodies 21 and 26are detachable from each other.

Further, the inner body 26 includes: an air-tight sealing part 27 on thelower portion of it; and a setting part 29 for setting a guide member 30a. An elastic member 28 is attached on the bottom of the inner body 26to enhance the sealing.

The guide member 30 a is placed on the 3setting part 29 of the innerbody 26. The member 30 a includes a guide 31 a extending vertically, andthe guide 31 a has a hollow interior.

Further, the guide member 30 a includes a round securing part 35, and asupporting part 34 integrally links the guide 31 a to the securing part35.

Between the securing part 35 and the supporting part 34, there areformed draining holes 36 for efficiently draining waste water. Withinthe guide 31 a, there are installed pinions 33 which are rotatableforward and reverse.

An openable/closable device actuating member 40 a includes a floatingdevice 41 a which ascends by the floating force and descends by theself-gravity. The floating device 41 a accommodates the guide 31 a byhaving a guide accommodating part 45.

A weight 42 is press-fitted to the floating device 41 a. A securing part53 is formed to be fastened to the guide accommodating part 45. Underthe securing part 53, there is formed a movable bar 51 on whichthere-are formed racks 52 to be moved up and down depending on therevolution direction of the pinions 33.

An openable/closable member 50 a opens and closes the air-tight sealingpart 27. The member 50 a is accommodated within the guide 31 a to slideup and down. The member 50 a includes: racks to be meshed with thepinions 33; a pair of slots to be engaged with the hooking devices 57;and a passive body 59 having guide grooves 58 with the same size to eachother.

Owing to the guide grooves 58, the shafts of the pinions 33 are notimpeded when the floating device 41 a moves up and down.

An openable/closable plate 55 a is fixed to the bottom of the passivebody 59. The hooking devices 57 are formed at the center of the plate 55a, and the hooking devices 57 are inserted into the guide 31 a to beengaged with the slots of the inside of the passive body 59.

An elastic member 56 is installed on the bottom of the plate 55 a toreinforce the sealing of the air-tight sealing part 27.

Now the action of the apparatus of the present invention will bedescribed.

The drainage reverse flow preventing apparatus according to the presentinvention is applicable not only to the underground draining channels,but also to the kitchen sink and the veranda draining holes. Further,the apparatus can be used at a pipe where oil flows.

The shape of the body 20 of the apparatus is not limited to the roundshape, but can be varied to rectangular or any other shape depending onthe shape of the draining hole 60.

First, the state of the draining of waste water through the apparatus ofthe present invention will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7a, when water or waste water is introduced intothe body 20 of the apparatus, the floating device 41 floats due to thefloating forces of the introduced water.

Therefore, the pinions 33 which is meshed with the racks 44 are rotated,and therefore, the racks 52 together with the movable bar 51 descends.

Therefore, the reverse flow preventing device 54 which is fastened tothe bottom of the securing part 53 departs from the air-tight sealingpart 27, thereby opening the lower portion of the round body 20 In thismanner, the introduced water flows efficiently through the apparatus.

When the draining is carried out in this manner, the flowing waterimposes a pressure onto the reverse flow preventing device 54,and.therefore, the floating force and the water pressure are combined tocompletely open the reverse flow preventing device 54 from the air-tightsealing part 27.

Accordingly, the draining is more efficiently carried out.

The reason why the first and second filtering nets are installed is tofilter off various foreign materials.

Now the state of preventing the reverse flow of waste water or foulodors by the apparatus of the present invention will be described indetail below.

When waste water is not introduced into the round body of the apparatusof the present invention, the floating device 41 descends owing to theself-gravity. Under this condition, owing to the racks 44 of thefloating device 41, the pinions 33 of the guide 31 are rotated.

Therefore, when the floating device descends, the movable bar 51 risesowing to the racks 52 of the movable bar 51.

Accordingly, the reverse flow preventing device 54 closely contacts tothe airtight sealing part 27, thereby closing the lower portion of theround body 20. Therefore, any reverse flow of waste water or foul odorsis prevented.

Meanwhile, in raining seasons, if the draining holes overflow due toreverse flows through the draining conduit, the reversely flowing waterpushes up the reverse flow preventing device 54, that is, lifts up theopenable/closable plate 55. Therefore owing to the water pressure, thereverse flow preventing device 54 is closely contacted to the air-tightsealing part 27, thereby preventing the reverse flow.

The elastic member 28 of the air-tight sealing part 27 and the elasticmember 56 of the openable/closable plate 55 enhance the contactingbetween the reverse flow preventing device 54 and the air-tight sealingpart 27, thereby improving the sealing state and maximizing theprevention of the reverse flow.

Now the draining through the second embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention will be described in detail below.

When waste water is introduced into the round body 20 of the apparatus,the floating device 41 a floats owing to the floating force of theintroduced water Therefore, the movable bar 51 moves up together withthe floating device 41 a, while the pinions 33 are rotated because theyare meshed with the racks 44.

When the pinions 33 are rotated, the passive body 59 descends owing tothe racks which are meshed with the Pinions 33. As a result, theopenable/closable plate 55 a which is fixed to the passive body 59departs from the air-tight sealing part 27, thereby opening the lowerportion of the round body 20 of the apparatus. Thus the introduced wateris efficiently drained into the draining hole 60.

When the introduced water flows through the round body 20 into thedraining hole 60, the flowing water exerts a pressure onto theopenable/closable plate 55 a, and therefore, the floating force and thewater pressure are combined to completely open the openable/closableplate 55 a from the air-tight sealing part 27.

Therefore, the draining of the water is more efficiently carried out.

The reason why the first and second filtering nets 24 and 25 areinstalled in dual is to filter off various foreign materials.

Now the state of preventing the reverse flow of water or foul odors bythe apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail belowreferring to FIG. 10b.

If there is no water or waste water incoming into the round body 20 ofthe apparatus of the present invention, then the floating device 41 adescends owing to the self-gravity. At the same time, the movable bar 51which is fixed to the floating device 41 a descends together with thefloating device 41 a. Therefore, owing to the racks 52, the pinions 33are rotated.

When the pinions 33 are rotated, the passive body 59 ascends owing tothe racks which are outwardly meshed with the pinions 33. Therefore, theopenable/closable plate 55 a ascends to closely contact with theair-tight sealing part 27, thereby closing the lower portion of theround body 20.

Accordingly, any reverse flow of water or foul odors is prevented.

Meanwhile, in raining seasons, if the draining holes overflow due toreverse flows through the draining conduit, the reversely flowing waterpushes up the openable/closable plate 55 a. Therefore owing to the waterpressure, the reverse flow preventing device 54 is firmly and closelycontacted to the air-tight sealing part 27, thereby preventing thereverse flow.

The elastic member 28 of the air-tight sealing part 27 and the elasticmember 56 of the openable/closable plate 55 a enhance the contactingbetween the openable/closable plate 55 a and the air-tight sealing part27, thereby improving the sealing state and maximizing the prevention ofthe reverse flow.

According to the present invention as described above, the waterdraining is efficiently carried out, thereby solving the overflowproblem. Further the reverse flow of the waste water or foul odors canbe prevented, and therefore, the environment is prevented from beingpolluted or contaminated. Further, in raining seasons, the flooding dueto the reverse flow through draining holes can be prevented.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of draining liquid and preventingreverse flow, the method comprising: introducing liquid into a chamberwhich has a bottom closed with a bottom closer; floating a floatablemember upward by the liquid in a substantially linear direction withinthe chamber; and moving the bottom closer downward by the upwardmovement of the floatable member, thereby opening the bottom of thechamber and flowing the liquid through the bottom.
 2. The method asdefined in claim 1, further comprising: continuously flowing liquidthrough the chamber and the open bottom; and keeping the bottom closeropen during the continuous flow.
 3. The method as defined in claim 1,further comprising: settling down the floatable member within thechamber by stopping the liquid flow into the chamber; and moving thebottom closer upward by the downward movement of the floatable member,thereby closing the bottom of the chamber and preventing reverse flow ofthe liquid.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the floatable member andthe bottom closer are engaged with each other via a mechanism configuredto operate the bottom closer such that the bottom closer closes thebottom when the floatable member is at a position closest to the bottomand such that the bottom closer opens the bottom of the body as thefloatable member moves away from the bottom within the hollow body. 5.The method of claim 1, further comprising filtering the liquid beforeintroduction thereof into the chamber.
 6. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising guiding the floating member, while floating, so as to movethe floating member in a substantially vertical direction.
 7. A drainapparatus, comprising: a hollow body having an open top, an open bottomand a side wall; a floatable member located within the hollow body, thefloatable member having freedom of movement in a substantially lineardirection within the hollow body; a bottom closer configured to closethe open bottom of the hollow body; and a mechanism engaging thefloatable member and the bottom closer, wherein the mechanism isconfigured to operate the bottom closer such that the bottom closercloses the bottom when the floatable member is at a position farthestfrom the top and such that the bottom closer opens the bottom of thebody as the floatable member moves toward the top within the hollowbody.
 8. The drain apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein thefloatable number has a weight so as to settle down at its lowestposition if it were not for a floating force.
 9. The drain apparatus asdefined in claim 7, further comprising at least one filtering net placedon the open top of the hollow body.
 10. The drain apparatus as definedin claim 7, further comprising a sealing around the open bottom of thebody.
 11. The drain apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein themechanism is configured such that the bottom closer moves away from thetop and opens the bottom of the hollow body as the floating member movestoward the top.
 12. The drain apparatus as defined in claim 7, whereinthe mechanism comprises a pinion and a rack engaged with the pinion. 13.The drain apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an outer hollow bodyconfigured to be installed in a drain hole, wherein the outer hollowbody is further configured to engage with the side wall of the hollowbody.
 14. The drain apparatus of claim 7, wherein the hollow body iscylindrical or rectangular.
 15. The drain apparatus of claim 7, whereinthe direction of the movement of the floatable member is substantiallyvertical when the body is installed in a drain hole.
 16. The drainapparatus of claim 7, wherein the hollow body has a longitudinaldirection extending between the top and bottom, and wherein thedirection of the movement of the floatable member is substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal direction.
 17. A drain apparatus,comprising: a hollow body having an open top, an open bottom and a sidewall; a floatable member located within the hollow body, the floatablemember having freedom of movement in a direction within the hollow body;a bottom closer configured to close the open bottom of the hollow body;and a mechanism engaging the floatable member and the bottom closer,wherein the mechanism is configured to operate the bottom closer suchthat the bottom closer closes the bottom when the floatable member is ata position farthest from the top and such that the bottom closer opensthe bottom of the body as the floatable member moves toward the topwithin the hollow body, wherein the mechanism comprises a pinion and arack engaged with the pinion, wherein the pinion is engaged with teethof the floating member, and the rack is connected to the bottom closer,and wherein as the floating member moves toward the top or the bottom,the pinion rotates, and then the rack engaged with the pinion moves awayfrom or toward the bottom of the body, whereby the bottom closer closesor opens the bottom of the body.
 18. A drain apparatus, comprising: ahollow body having an open top, an open bottom and a side wall; afloatable member located within the hollow body, the floatable memberhaving freedom of movement in a direction within the hollow body; abottom closer configured to close the open bottom of the hollow body;and a mechanism engaging the floatable member and the bottom closer,wherein the mechanism is configured to operate the bottom closer suchthat the bottom closer closes the bottom when the floatable member is ata position farthest from the top and such that the bottom closer opensthe bottom of the body as the floatable member moves toward the topwithin the hollow body wherein the mechanism comprises a pinion and arack engaged with the pinion, wherein the pinion is engaged with teethconnected to the bottom closer and the rack is connected to the floatingmember, and wherein as the floating member moves toward the top or thebottom, the rack moves toward the top or the bottom, which makes thepinion rotate, and then the bottom closer engaged with the pinion viathe teeth moves away from or toward the top, whereby the bottom closercloses or opens the bottom of the body.
 19. A drain apparatus,comprising: a hollow body having an open top, an open bottom and a sidewall; a floatable member located within the hollow body the floatablemember having freedom of movement in a direction within the hollow body;a bottom closer configured to close the open bottom of the hollow body;a mechanism engaging the floatable member and the bottom closer, whereinthe mechanism is configured to operate the bottom closer such that thebottom closer closes the bottom when the floatable member is at aposition farthest from the top and such that the bottom closer opens thebottom of the body as the floatable member moves toward the top withinthe hollow body; and a guide located within the hollow body, wherein thehollow body is a cylinder having a longitudinal direction, and whereinthe guide is configured to guide the movement of the floatable member ina direction that is substantially identical to the longitudinaldirection.
 20. The drain apparatus of claim 19, wherein the guidecomprises a longitudinal structure extending in the longitudinaldirection within the hollow body, wherein the floatable member comprisesa mating structure with the longitudinal structure, and wherein thefloatable member and guide are arranged such that the mating structureis engaged with the longitudinal structure throughout the movement ofthe floating member within the hollow body.